Demountable enclosures

ABSTRACT

An end section for a rail which is engageable with a post having a slot. The end section is so arranged that in one orientation the end section is releasable from a slot of the post, and when rotated to a second orientation, the end section is in a locked position and cannot be released from the slot of the post. The end section may be fastened, or otherwise attached to a rail and used in a demountable enclosure or support structure having at least two posts. Each post of the demountable enclosure or support structure has at least one slot for receiving a rail and the at least one rail is releasably mountable between an adjacent pair of the posts. The end section of the rail is engageable in a slot provided in one of the adjacent posts, and each slot is complementary, at least in part, to the end section of a rail. Each rail, when mounted to an adjacent post, is moveable between a locked position and an unlocked position by rotation of the respective rail.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to demountable enclosures or supportstructures. The invention is particularly suitable for, but not limitedto, demountable enclosures for the confinement of animals such as horsesand cattle.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

There is often a need to confine animals such as horses and cattle intemporary or semi-permanent enclosures, for example, at competitiveevents such as camp drafting, equestrian, show jumping, and rodeos.

Large fencing panels are often transported to event sites and assembledinto an enclosure or support structure of suitable size. Such fencingpanels are heavy, bulky and often difficult to assemble. The panels aregenerally large and therefore take up a considerable amount of space ona vehicle.

Electric fences are also used to confine animals to a certain area.These fences may not physically restrain the animal, but rather providea psychological or virtual barrier. Such fences can be ineffectivebecause a stressed or startled animal can run through the fence,potentially causing damage to itself and its surroundings. Anotherdisadvantage of electric fences is that the entire fence can be disableddue to a break in a conducting wire or during a power failure. Further,members of the general public could be shocked or injured as a result ofaccidently coming into contact with the electric fence.

The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and shouldnot be taken as, an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that theprior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to overcome or at leastalleviate one or more of the above described disadvantages of the priorart, or to provide the consumer with a useful commercial choice.

It is a preferred object of the present invention to provide ademountable enclosure or support structure which can be easilytransported, assembled and disassembled.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Throughout the specification, the terms “rotating” and “lowering” shallbe taken to include the opposite i.e. “lowering” and “rotating”.Similarly, “raising” and “rotating” should be taken to also include“rotating” and “raising”. The phase “complementary, at least in part”shall be taken to mean at least part of the recited feature, for examplethe head, matches at least part of another recited feature, for examplea slot.

In one aspect, although it need not be the only or indeed the broadestaspect, the invention resides in an end section for a rail which isengageable with a post having a slot, the end section being so arrangedthat in one orientation the end section is releasable from a slot of thepost; and when rotated to a second orientation, the end section is in alocked position and cannot be released from the slot of the post.

The end section may be integrally formed with a rail, or be manufacturedas a separate piece which can be welded, or otherwise fastened, to oneend of a body of the rail.

In a second aspect, the invention resides in a demountable enclosure orsupport structure, including:

-   -   at least one post with at least one slot; and    -   at least one rail releasably mountable to the post;    -   wherein, the rail includes at least one end section which is        engageable in a complementary slot in the post; and    -   wherein the rail is moveable between a locked position and an        unlocked position.

In a third aspect, the invention resides in a demountable enclosure orsupport structure, including:

-   -   a plurality of posts, each post having one or more slots;    -   wherein adjacent posts are connected by a plurality of rails,        each rail engageable in complementary slots in the posts; and    -   wherein the rails are releasably mountable to the posts and each        rail is moveable between a locked and an unlocked position.

Preferably, each rail has a body interconnecting respective endsections, each end section having a neck and a head, wherein the shapeof the head is complementary, at least in part, to the shape of the slotin the post.

Preferably, each slot in each post is of regular or irregular shape. Theregular shapes may include triangles, rectangles, pentagons, or otherpolygonal shapes, ellipses, stars, crosses, and the like. The irregularshapes may include keyhole shapes, arrows, zigzag shapes, and the like.

In a preferred form, the slots in the posts are keyhole shaped with anenlarged portion above an elongated portion. Preferably, the slots havea planar section at the top of the enlarged portion.

Preferably, the head of the end section of each rail is substantiallycircular with a planar top. The planar top on the head preferablycorresponds to the planar section on the slots of the posts. Thedimensions of the head are preferably slightly less than the dimensionsof the enlarged portion of the keyhole shaped slots of the posts, suchthat the head is receivable in a slot.

The width of the neck of each end section of each rail is preferablyslightly less than the width of the elongated portion of the keyholeshaped slots of the posts. Preferably, the height of the neck is greaterthan the width of the elongated portion of the keyhole shaped slots ofthe posts.

Preferably, the end section of the rail is receivable in the body of therail. In a preferred form, the head of the end section includes a flangeand the body of the rail abuts the flange when it is pushed over the endsection.

Preferably, the end section includes an aperture which corresponds withan aperture in the body of the rail, for securing the end section to thebody of the rail.

In use, a rail is moved into a locked position by inserting the head ofthe end section into the enlarged portion of a slot of a post, rotatingthe rail, and lowering the rail toward the elongated portion of theslot. Preferably, the rail is rotated approximately 180 degrees. Therail can then be moved into an unlocked position by raising the railtowards the enlarged portion of the slot of the post and then rotatingthe rail, preferably 180 degrees. The rail can be released from the postwhen the planar top on the head of the rail is aligned with the planersection on the enlarged portion of the slot of the post.

Preferably, each rail is telescopic, or otherwise adjustable, in length.

Preferably, each rail includes a spring loaded button which, whenpushed, allows the rail to be adjusted in length.

Preferably, each post and rail is comprised of square hollow tubing.However, persons skilled in the art would appreciate that the posts andrails may be of other suitable shapes, including rectangular orcircular. The posts and rails may also be of solid construction, withrecesses in the body of the posts associated with the slots.

Preferably, the end sections of the posts are circular. In anotherpreferred form, the end sections are substantially square.

Suitably, each post may have one or more slots on one or more sides ofthe post for connecting multiple rails.

In a fourth aspect, the invention resides in a method of connecting arail to a post, including the steps of:

-   -   inserting an end section of a rail into a slot in a post; and    -   rotating the rail, optionally through 180 degrees, and lowering        the rail, such that the end section is in a locked position;    -   wherein the rail cannot be released from the post when in the        locked position; and    -   wherein the rail can be moved to an unlocked position and        thereby released from the post by raising and rotating the rail,        optionally through 180 degrees.

Further features and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To assist in the understanding of the invention, and to enable a personskilled in the art to put the invention into practical effect, preferredembodiments of the invention will be described by way of examples only,with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of an assembled enclosure orsupport structure according to the present invention;

FIGS. 2 a, 2 b and 2 c are respective side, isometric, and sectionalviews of an end section of a rail for an enclosure or support structure;

FIG. 3 a is a side view of a post for an enclosure or support structure;

FIG. 3 b is enlarged side view of the post of FIG. 3 a;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a post and a rail;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the post and rail of FIG. 4 whenconnected; and

FIGS. 6 a, 6 b, 6 c and 6 d are respective front, side, rear andsectional views of an alternative embodiment of an end section of arail.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in concise outline form inthe drawings, showing only those specific details that are necessary forunderstanding the embodiments of the present invention, but so as not toobscure the disclosure with excessive detail that will be readilyapparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in light having thebenefit of the present description.

In this patent specification, adjectives such as first and second, leftand right, front and back, top and bottom, etc., are used solely todistinguish one element from another element without necessarilyrequiring a specific relative position or order. Words such as“comprises” or “includes” are not used to define an exclusive set ofelements. Rather, such words merely define a minimum set of elementsincluded in a particular embodiment of the present invention. It will beappreciated that the invention may be implemented in a variety of ways,and that this description is given by way of example only.

Referring to FIG. 1, there is a shown a portion of an assembledenclosure or support structure 10 according to the present invention.One post 20 of the enclosure or support structure 10 is shown and threerails 30 are connected to two sides of the post 20. The post containsslots 22 for receiving the rails 30. Although not shown in this figure,the rails 30 in this example are telescopic with a spring loaded button.When the spring loaded button is pushed, the rail 30 slides into itselfwhich allows for easy storage.

In this example, the post 20 and the rails 30 of the enclosure orsupport structure 10 are formed from square hollow tubing. However,persons skilled in the art would appreciate that the post and rails ofthe enclosure or support structure may be of other suitable shapes,including rectangular or circular.

FIG. 2 a shows a side view of an end section 40 of a rail (not shown).As shown in FIGS. 2 b and 2 c, the end section 40 in this example issubstantially circular. Attached to the end section 40 are a neck 42 anda head 44. The dimensions and shape of the neck 42 and head 44 islargely dependent on the dimensions and shape of the slots 22 of theposts 20, and vice versa.

In this embodiment, the head 44 is largely circular with a planar top46. This shape is complementary, at least in part, to the shape of theenlarged portion 26 of the slot 22 of a support structure, such as apost 20 (shown in FIGS. 3 a and 3 b).

The end section 40 in this embodiment is manufactured as a separatepiece which is fastened, for example by welding, to one end of the bodyof the rail. However, persons skilled in the art would appreciate thatthe end section 40 could be integrally formed with a rail.

FIG. 3 a shows a side view of a post 20 having three slots 22 in oneside of the post 20. An enlarged view of one of the slots 22 of the post20 is provided in FIG. 3 b. In this example, the slot 22 is keyholeshaped with an enlarged portion 24 located above an elongated portion26. The enlarged portion 24 of the slot 22 is adapted to receive a head44 of an end section 40 of a rail 30. In a preferred embodiment, theenlarged portion 24 of the slot 22 is substantially circular with aplanar portion 28 at the top. However, persons skilled in the art wouldappreciate that the shape of the slot 22 could be of any suitable sizeand shape.

In use, the posts 20 are mounted substantially vertically by affixingthe bottom of the posts 20 to the ground by suitable means. The posts 20may have bases for added stability. Such bases may be secured to theground by way of tent pegs or other means. Further, the posts 20 mayhave reinforcing elements, such as a metal plate, attached to the postto stabilize the enclosure or support structure 10. For example, thepost 20 may have a triangular metal plate protruding from one or moresides. When the enclosure or support structure 10 is assembled, the rail30 may rest on one side of the metal plate for added stability.

FIG. 4 shows an enlarged view of a section of a post 20 and a rail 30 ofthe enclosure or support structure 10. The rail 30 has an end section 40which includes a neck 42 and a head 44. The end section 40 of the rail30 is sized and shaped so as to fit in the enlarged portion 24 of theslot 22 of the post 20. It is clear from this figure that the post 20has slots 22 in three sides of the post 20, for connecting with threerails 30. Persons skilled in the art would appreciate that the post 20could have slots 22 in two sides of the post 20, or in all four sides.In this embodiment, the end section 40 of the rail 30 has been welded tothe body of the rail 30. Numeral 48 denotes the welding points. Personsskilled in the art will appreciate that the end section may be fastenedto the rail by other suitable means, for example by brazing, usinglocking pins, or crimping the rail.

Referring to FIG. 5, there is shown a perspective view of a section of arail 30 connected to a post 20. In this example, the head 44 of the endsection 40 of the rail 30 has been inserted into the enlarged portion 24of the slot 22 of the post 20. The rail 30 has then been rotated, byapproximately 180 degrees, and lowered towards the bottom of theelongated portion 26 of the slot 22. In this arrangement, the neck 42abuts the bottom of the elongated portion 26 of the slot 22, and thehead 44 of the rail 30 abuts an inner wall of the post 20. The planartop 46 of the head 44 now faces downward i.e. in the oppositeorientation to the planar portion 28 of the slot 22.

It will be appreciated that the width of the head 44 is greater than thewidth of the elongated portion 26 of the slot 22 to prevent the head 44,and therefore the rail 30, from being removed from the post 30 via theelongated portion 26 of the slot 20. Ideally, the width of the neck 42is slightly less than the width of the elongated portion 26 of thekeyhole shaped slots 22 of the posts 20, to enable the neck 42 to fitinto the elongated portion 26 of the slot 22, when the rail 30 islowered. However, the height of the neck 42 is greater than the width ofthe elongated portion 26 of the keyhole shaped slots 22 of the posts 20(shown in FIGS. 3 to 5), so that once the neck is lowered into theelongated portion 26 of the slot 22, the end section 40 cannot berotated and the rail 30 is now in the locked position. The rail 20remains in locked position until it is raised to the enlarged portion 24of the slot 22, and then rotated by approximately 180 degrees. Thisrotation aligns the planar top 46 of the head 44 with the planar portion28 of the enlarged portion 24 of the slot 22. In this orientation, therail 30 is in the unlocked position, and the rail 30 can be removed fromthe post 20.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the post 20 is made from squarehollow tubing. However, persons skilled in the art would appreciate thatthe posts 20 may be of other suitable shapes, for example circular. Theposts 20 could even be solid with recesses rather than slots 22, forconnection with the rails 30.

FIGS. 6 a to 6 d show an alternative embodiment of an end section 50 ofa rail 30. In this embodiment, the end section 50 is substantiallysquare. Attached to the end section 50 are a neck 52 and a head 54 witha planar top 58, similar to that shown in FIG. 2 a. The shape of thehead 54 is complementary, at least in part, to the shape of the enlargedportion 24 of the slot 22 in a support structure, such as a post 20(shown in FIGS. 3 a and 3 b). The end section 50 can be received in, andfastened to, the body of a rail 30 (not shown), which may be formed fromsquare hollow tubing.

For fastening purposes, the end section 50 in this embodiment includesan aperture 60 which corresponds with an aperture on the rail 30 (notshown). In use, the body of the rail 30 is pushed over the end section50 so that the apertures are aligned. The end section 50 can then befastened to the body of the rail 30 by inserting a roll pin, dowel orother suitable fastener into the apertures. As shown in FIGS. 6 b and 6c, the end section 50 also includes a flange 56, which abuts the body ofthe rail 30 once the end section 50 is received in the rail 30.

As discussed in relation to FIG. 5, the width of the neck 52 is slightlyless than the width of the elongated portion 26 of the slot 22 of thepost 20, so that the neck 52 can fit into the elongated portion 26, whenthe rail 30 is lowered. However, the height of the neck 52 is greaterthan the width of the elongated portion 26 of the slot 22 to preventtranslational movement of the rail 30 when it is in the locked position.

In operational use, the head 44, 54 of an end section 40, 50 of a rail30 is inserted into the enlarged portion 24 of a slot 22 of a supportstructure, such as a post 20. The rail 30 is then moved to the lockedposition by rotating the rail 30, preferably through 180 degrees, andlowering the rail 30 towards the bottom of the elongated portion 26 ofthe slot 22 of the post 20. In this position, the head 44, 54 of the endsection 40, 50 abuts an inner wall of the post 20 and the neck 42, 52 ofthe end section 40, 50 abuts the bottom of the elongated portion 24 ofthe slot 22 of the post 20. As described in relation to FIGS. 2 a to 2 cand FIG. 6 a, the head 44, 54 of the end section 40, 50, in theseembodiments, is circular with a planar top 46, 58. This shape iscomplementary to the shape of the enlarged portion 24 of the slot 22 ofthe post 20, as described in relation to FIG. 3 b. Accordingly, the head44, 54 of the end section 40, 50 of the rail 30 must be oriented withthe planar top 46, 58 facing upward in order for the head 44, 54 to fitin the elongated portion 26 of the slot 22 of the post 20. Once the rail30 is rotated and lowered, the planar top 46, 58 faces downward. Thus,if the rail 30 is vertically displaced, it cannot be released from theenlarged portion 24 of the slot 22 of the post 20 because the circularportion of the head 44 will abut an inner wall of the post 20. In orderto be released from the slot 22 of the post 20, the rail 30 must belifted and rotated, preferably through 180 degrees, thereby aligning theplanar top 46, 58 of the head 44, 54 with the planar portion 28 of theslot 22 of the post 20.

Advantages of the present invention over the prior art include, but arenot limited to, the compactness and portability of the demountableenclosure 10 or support structure. By way of example, approximatelythirty panels comprised of two rails 30 and two posts 20 can be placedin a tool box that is 1200 mm in length, 350 mm in width and 300 mm inheight. This is sufficient to assemble an enclosure 10 that is 4 metressquare.

Further, the enclosure 10 or support structure is easy to assemble anddisassemble. The locking feature of the rails 30 makes the enclosure 10safe for confining animals such as horses for temporary periods. Inaddition, the demountable enclosure 10 is safer to use than some priorart enclosures such as electric fences. As the posts 20 of the enclosure10 can be connected with any rail 30, the size and shape of theenclosure 10 can be selected by the user, and varied according to thetype or number of animals being housed, and the available space.

The demountable enclosure 10 of the present invention could be used toconfine larger animals. The enclosure 10 could also be used to confinewild or lively animals. In this application, the rails 30 and posts 20of the enclosure 10 could be manufactured out of a heavy material suchas solid metal to withstand the force of such animals. The height of theposts 20 could be increased and additional rails 30 could be added tothe enclosure for greater stability.

The present invention could be used as a support structure for a varietyof uses, such as for stacking pallets. The present invention could alsobe adapted for use as a fence, a trellis for a garden, click togethershelving, scaffolding, and vet crushes. Persons skilled in the art wouldappreciate that the present invention could be used in many additionalapplications.

The above description of various embodiments of the present invention isprovided for purposes of description to one of ordinary skill in therelated art. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit theinvention to a single disclosed embodiment. As mentioned above, numerousalternatives and variations to the present invention will be apparent tothose skilled in the art of the above teaching. Accordingly, while somealternative embodiments have been discussed specifically, otherembodiments will be apparent or relatively easily developed by those ofordinary skill in the art. Accordingly, this invention is intended toembrace all alternatives, modifications and variations of the presentinvention that have been discussed herein, and other embodiments thatfall within the spirit and scope of the above described invention.

1. An end section for a rail, the end section being engageable with apost having a slot, the end section being so arranged that in oneorientation the end section is releasable from a slot of the post; andwhen rotated to a second orientation, the end section is in a lockedposition and cannot be released from the slot of the post.
 2. The endsection of claim 2, wherein the end section is integrally formed withthe rail, or manufactured as a separate piece and welded, or otherwisefastened, to one end the rail.
 3. A demountable enclosure or supportstructure, including: at least two posts, each post having at least oneslot for receiving a rail; at least one rail releasably mountablebetween an adjacent pair of the posts, each rail including an endsection which is engageable in a slot provided in one of the adjacentposts; wherein each slot is complementary, at least in part, to the endsection of a rail; and wherein each rail, when mounted to an adjacentpost, is moveable between a locked position and an unlocked position byrotation of the respective rail.
 4. The demountable enclosure or supportstructure of claim 3, wherein each rail has a body interconnectingrespective end sections, each end section having a neck and a head. 5.The demountable enclosure or support structure of claim 4, wherein theshape of the head is complementary, at least in part, to the shape of aslot in each post, such that the head is receivable in the slot when therail is in the unlocked position.
 6. The demountable enclosure orsupport structure of claim 4, wherein the head cannot be withdrawn fromthe slot when the rail is in the locked position.
 7. The demountableenclosure or support structure of claim 3, wherein the rail is movablebetween a locked position and an unlocked position by rotational andtranslational movement of the rail.
 8. The demountable enclosure orsupport structure of claim 3, wherein each slot has an enlarged portionabove an elongated portion.
 9. The demountable enclosure or supportstructure of claim 8, wherein the shape of the head is complementary tothe enlarged portion of the slot, and wherein the head is of greaterwidth than the elongated portion of the slot.
 10. The demountableenclosure or support structure of claim 8 or claim 9, wherein theenlarged portion of the slot has a planar section at the top.
 11. Thedemountable enclosure or support structure of claim 4, wherein the headis substantially circular with a planar top.
 12. The demountableenclosure or support structure of claim 10, wherein the planar top ofthe head corresponds to the planar section in the enlarged portion ofthe slot.
 13. The demountable enclosure or support structure of claim 8,wherein the width of the neck is less than the width of the elongatedportion of the slot.
 14. The demountable enclosure or support structureof claim 8, wherein the length of the neck is greater than the width ofthe elongated portion of the slot.
 15. The demountable enclosure orsupport structure of claim 3, wherein each slot is substantially keyholeshaped.
 16. The demountable enclosure or support structure of claim 4,wherein the end section of the rail is receivable in the body of therail.
 17. The demountable enclosure or support structure of claim 16,wherein, when the body of the rail is pushed over the end section, thebody abuts a flange on the end section.
 18. The demountable enclosure orsupport structure of claim 3, wherein the end section includes anaperture which corresponds with an aperture in the body of the rail, forsecuring the end section to the body of the rail.
 19. The demountableenclosure or support structure of claim 3, wherein the end sections ofeach rail are substantially circular or substantially square in shape.20. The demountable enclosure or support structure of claim 3, whereineach post has one or more slots on one or more sides for connectingmultiple rails.
 21. The demountable enclosure or support structure ofclaim 3, wherein each rail is telescopic, or otherwise adjustable, inlength.
 22. A method of connecting a rail to a post, including the stepsof: inserting an end section of a rail into a slot in a post; androtating and lowering the rail, such that the end section is in a lockedposition; wherein the rail cannot be released from the post when in thelocked position; and wherein the rail can be moved to an unlockedposition and thereby released from the post by raising and rotating therail.
 23. The method of claim 22, wherein the rail is moved into thelocked position by rotating the rail through 180 degrees, beforelowering the rail; and wherein the rail is moved into the unlockedposition by rotating the rail through 180 degrees before raising therail.